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{
    "id": 886098,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/886098/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 224,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Sakaja",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13131,
        "legal_name": "Johnson Arthur Sakaja",
        "slug": "johnson-arthur-sakaja"
    },
    "content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 48(1), I arise to make a Statement on compensation of Nairobi residents in Mihang’o Ward, Embakasi East Constituency by the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) for illegal demolition of their houses. Between 15th and 18th of March this year, houses and properties belonging to residents of Mihang’o Ward, specifically Chokaa Mradi area, were demolished by officers from the KPLC under the pretext that they were encroaching on the power line wayleave. According to the evidence and report of the aftermath - and I went there myself yesterday and met the residents together with the DCC and the area Member of Parliament (MP) and the Member of County Assembly (MCA) - it was revealed that the exercise went beyond the agreed 15 meters to 20 meters wayleave and destroyed property worth millions of shillings. It is clear that where there is a 132 kV power line and the distance is 15 meters; and where there is a 220 kV power line, the distance is 20meters. They demolished houses and property beyond those 20 meters. More than 300 innocent families have been left homeless and some have even lost their business premises and source of livelihood. There were reports that even one of the residents committed suicide because of frustration of losing his property. Madam Temporary Speaker, this illegal act has robbed the residents of their dignity and subjected them to unwarranted trauma and stress, with children coming home in the evening not having a place to sleep. The demolitions were carried out in contravention of Article 40 of our Constitution that is clear on the protection of property and further goes against the spirit of the housing agenda under the Big Four Plan of the President. I therefore, humbly request that the Standing Committee on Lands, Environment and Natural Resources looks into this matter urgently and with the sole intention of ensuring the following:- (1) The KPLC is held responsible and has to compensate residents whose houses were beyond the boundary, 15 meters to 20 meters away from the wayleave and were illegally demolished. (2) That the KPLC erects physical beacons on visible barriers that clearly marks the boundaries of the power wayleave to avoid future unnecessary loss of property and to discourage illegal encroachment and;"
}